Friday, January 22, 2010

Saturday Blog Showcase, Perfect Banana Pudding, Moveable Feast













I love Banana Pudding! Not the instant type, but real vanilla custard, poured over a layer of Nabisco Nilla Wafers covered with slices of ripe banana. As a child I considered it Heaven in a bowl! My Grandmother made a memorable Banana Pudding, always preparing it in a cut glass bowl and serving it with a dollop of whipped cream. 

Last week when I read Barbara's Banana Pudding post at Moveable Feast, it brought back warm childhood memories. I decided then and there to prepare it for the Saturday Blog Showcase hosted by Ann at Thibeault's Table and Lori at All That Splatters. Great idea Girls!

The recipe called for a 9X9 inch glass pan. I had bought these cute mini soup bowls in Paris and thought they would be perfect for the Banana Pudding. I was already breaking the Banana Pudding rules, but what the heck.

I lined them with Nilla Wafers and sliced bananas, Barbara was very explicit about the size of the banana slices, 3/8 inch rounds. I did my best!

I cooked the pudding and fill the bowls.
 
I then whipped up the meringue and baked them. About that time my son came into the kitchen and we couldn't wait to try one. Delish! A success! Thanks Barbara for a terrific recipe! I took the recipe directly from Barbara's Blog. The old copy and paste method.




 from Texas Cooking Online


1 cup sugar

1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon butter
4 egg yolks
1 box of Vanilla Wafers
5 large ripe bananas

For the meringue:
4 egg whites, at room temperature
5 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 375°.

Line the bottom of a 9x9-inch baking dish with a layer of vanilla wafers. (This recipe will not use the whole box, so you may snack along the way, but don't get carried away.)


Peel the bananas and slice into 3/8-inch rounds; use a ruler (I'm kidding!). Cover the banana slices with plastic wrap to keep them from darkening, and quickly make your pudding.

Note: I didn't do it this way. I made the pudding first, covered it with plastic wrap and then sliced the bananas.
My note; I did it the same way Barbara did! It sure seemed like a good idea to me.
 

Combine the sugar, flour and salt in bowl, mix well, and set aside. In a heavy saucepan, beat egg yolks well (just use a fork or a whisk, but beat well). Over medium heat, add the flour mixture to the egg yolks alternately with the milk and vanilla, stirring constantly.
 

Bring to a gentle boil and, when mixture begins to thicken, add butter, continuing to stir to prevent scorching. When the mixture reaches pudding consistency, remove from heat.

Place a layer of banana slices in the baking dish on top of the vanilla wafers. Don't stint and put one slice of banana per wafer. Line those banana slices up edge-to-edge.  


Pour, spreading as necessary, half of the pudding over the banana layer. Put down another layer of vanilla wafers, another layer of banana slices, and cover with the remaining pudding.


For the meringue, beat the egg whites with an electric mixer until they form soft peaks. Add the cream of tartar.  Beat and then add sugar, a tablespoon at a time, and beat until stiff peaks are formed. Fold the vanilla into the meringue, and spread the meringue over the pudding, sealing it at the sides of the dish.
Place in a preheated 375° oven and bake until browned, 12 to 15 minutes, depending upon your oven.


This recipe makes 6 or 8 servings. Any leftovers should be covered and refrigerated.

And, yes, it's hard to cover anything with a meringue top and although banana pudding is not attractive after it's been refrigerated, it's still just as delicious.



All text and photos are property of The Gypsy Chef

31 comments:

  1. Wow, that is really looking so tempting and inviting! Individual serving looks so fantastic..am sure kids will love this!..

    btw thanks for dropping to our group blog on Indian Cuisine, glad you like Indian food. It's our pleasure to share!..

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  2. I love everything made with bananas and this pudding is to live for!!! Beautiful pics too, Pam....thanks for sharing :-)

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  3. I love your little bowls!!! The only problem is I would have to have 2 possibly 3.

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  4. OH MY! How cute. Perfect is definitely the right way to describe your little puddings.

    I love your little bowls.

    Thanks for participating in the Saturday Blog Showcase.

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  5. I never had Banana Pudding until I moved to Texas when I got married. I loved it from the start! Yours looks perfect. Love the idea of making individual portions. Beautiful photos!

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  6. These are adorable and I agree, the bowls are so cute! I wish I could come to that dinner party... very lucky 8 people!

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  7. Hi Pam,
    What lovely photos of your sweet treat! Pure perfection in that swirled meringue top. :D

    I have that same Sr. Oetker vanilla sugar in my cupboard, just waiting for the right recipe. Did you use it in the meringue?

    Nice to have you join the Sat. Blog Showcase. I've become a follower & will be back to visit your lovely site real soon.

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  8. They could not be more precious if they tried..when I read they were the minis..I smiled out loud..Next time I am at SLT..I will pick more up..These are so adorable..You made them perfect:)

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  9. Srivalli, Thanks for dropping by. I look forward to more posts about Indian cuisine.

    AlysonMcleroy, Thanks!

    Neeta, Thanks, glad you dropped by.

    Pam, It's tough, I've often had 2 or 3!

    Thaibeault's Table, Thanks for hosting. This is fun!

    Thanks Lori, I look for any reason to use these bowls.

    LPRemebered, The bowls are the key. So cute anything you put in them is a hit!

    Rettabug, Yes, I used the sugar in the meringue. I use this sugar in everything. I also make my own. But there is something about the color that just makes it so special. Thanks for dropping by.

    La Table De Nana, Thanks! I can never have enough of these. I use them for everything!

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  10. These are beautiful...and I love two of my favorite blogs coming together!

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  11. Wow! These are adorable and sound delicious. This is a find! My husband is a banana fan...there won't be seconds.

    Love the little soup bowls. Will have to start looking....

    Thank you for visiting my blog today! I have enjoyed touring yours!

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  12. Pam, you've put such a darling spin on Banana Pudding, who couldn't resist these?!

    I love everything about them. :)

    Happy Saturday Blog Showcase!

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  13. OH those pudding are absolutely glorious! What elegant desserts...the meringue topping really topped it off! and those soup bowls are perfect. I actually prefer individual servings...so much neater !lovely pics too! :)

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  14. OMG! There is nothing that can beat a homemade creamy banana pudding. Banana pudding and rice pudding are my favorites.

    Those little bowls give your banana pudding elegance which make it perfect for entertaining. Love it,

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  15. Yum, banana pudding. I like the cute meringue toppings.

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  16. Wow..Ive never had banana pudding like that!

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  17. On my list to make, looks great!

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  18. I grew up eating banana pudding, and there's nothing like the real thing. You've nailed it here! I lovelovelove the little serving dishes.

    Thanks for this recipe!

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  19. Pudding is really making a comeback!

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  20. HD, I agree, it's it fun sharing a recipe?

    Kate, I bought them in Paris, but I bet you could find them on Amazon.

    Danalicious, I thought the meringue made it special. Barbara is a genius!

    figtree, me neither!

    I, it's easy too.

    Kate, Thanks!

    buffalodick, pudding is the new chocolate cake.

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  21. Thanks for showcasing my banana pudding recipe,
    Pam! And I adore the way you served them. Those little bowls from Paris are perfect! Now everyone is going to want some just like them. I know I do.

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  22. Thanks for visiting my blog and introducing me to yours, these meringue puddings look adorable. I love individually portioned stuff!

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  23. Looks perfect to me. Very lovely dessert!

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  24. oh i am late to this little party, got any left? so cute and tasty too!

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  25. I thought Barbara's pudding sounded delicious when I saw it too. I love your 'spin' on the recipe in the little lion bowls. Delicious beauty!

    Thanks so much for visiting me ;)

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  26. Barbara, it was my pleasure. As soon as I read the recipe I knew my kids would love them. Me too!

    Sarah Maison, Thanks. My new obsession is tiny portions of dessert.....I just eat 2 then!

    Thanks Maria

    FWS, you are never late!! Welcome!

    SavoringTime in the Kitchen, It's always fun to try another bloggers recipes! Thanks for stopping by!

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  27. Your little bowls are adorable...love them!

    We have so many bananas this week and I was thinking of making some Banana Pudding too!

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  28. I love how you presented your banana pudding. You made something that is very home-style tres elegant daaaaahling! Awesome job.
    *kisses* HH

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  29. Thanks, Michelle. Banana Pudding,banana bread, banana muffins, The list is endless isn't it?

    HH, Thanks for dropping by. It's all about elegance, isn't it daaaaahling!

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  30. You have taken "pudding" to a new level. I love your little bowls.

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  31. OMG, these look stunning! I would love to have two please... Can I?

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